Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1887-08-23

8Dly Cainl
was endeavoring in q laundering way to
administer a soothing ointment to the old
mans bleeding heart, when he suddenly
turned and said with q quick, searching
glance, "Leavitt, believe can trust you"
Before could reply he thrust into my hand
a crumpied note with the words, more like a
groan than anything else, u found it in her
room"
Seeing he meant should read it. opened
the sheet, and in a square, angular, girlish
hand was the following:
"DEAR OLD PATER-I left on the afternoon
train with Oscar for the metropolis. By the
time you read this we will be married and
waiting anxiously for your forgiveness
here were three or four spots that looked like
tear stains, then the note continued-"my
precious darling, you must forgive me. This
is the first time ever went contrary to your
wishes But do love him so. He is SO kind
and brave and good. Please write to your
loving but distracted child"
Il will tell you the whole story, now you
have part" said Raggles, as I handed back
the crumpled paper. mo, shall feel better
for doing So" he continued, as made
deprecating gesture. II must talk. The i'll
slant the lines in that special flashed in my
eyes knew what had occurred. This Oscar
~ oociis VI "uoh NY pOOT llUOlt RHl SPEAKS,
is gambler thief, and blackguard of the
lowest description How she became &C.
quainted with him was never able to learn.
In some way he met her. The rest was easy,
for his face and manner were rs fascinating
as his heart was black. A few weeks ago l
first learned of my darlings ENHANCEMENT.
went to Brasen and begged him with tears
in my eyes to spare my little girl He
laughed in my face. Then I went to Sharp.
He stirred up the police, and the result was
the fellow had tn leave the city very suddenly.
thought then We had seen the last of him
was happy in the thought, and happier still,
as within q week ] saw the roses begin to
again creep into my darling's checks Poor
fool that was! This was caused by Brasen's
return. He remained in hiding, but managed
to see Gerty several times. Today, when !
left home. she said she was going over to
spend the day with girl friend Oh the west
side and would not be back for supper. ]
believed her and went to the Office with
light heart. Then came that dispatch. Curses
OH the villain! l know he's dead. II she is
oryy saved from his snares ask no more.
What l fear is that they stopped at some
small town and were married, or possibly be-
fore they left the city. God help us all. bur
it is hard" And the muscular hands gripped
eAO OLA Va CuC ocub as IL W WTtSU IL lEOHl us
fastenings, fresh pallor crept into the gray
cheek, and for moment thought Rasgles
was about to faint again.
just then his eye rested on bit of bright
ribbon projecting from the sachel on the on
posite seat. 1t had been picked M accident.
ally with other traps. At the sight of this
the fountains opened and the tired brain re-
ceived grateful cooling from the shower
After that Raggles was much caImer
did not attempt to intrude on his grief Be-
sides, by this time a reaction set in, and be.
fore knew it / was mid, mid noddin' "and
oblivious to surroundings.
When | awoke the sun was creeping over
the dis ant trees, gliding their tops as they
passed in review in seemingly endless pro
cession. My head was resting on travelling
shawl belonging to Raggles, and that person
sat family smiling as sprang bolt upright
| had slept half the night, while the old man
had sat quietly fighting the pain at his heart
Even in the midst of his misery the ,nfler
hearted man had found time to think OF my
Insignificant achae
IL was a beautiful day, and the sun W.,
shining brightly when we reached the scene
Of the accident. A temporary track had
been built around the wreck and trains were
running as usual. on to the left of this track
a few trucks, mixed in with tangled brake.
rods and half hidden by piles of ashes, were
all that remained of the brave train that
dashed of the rails but a few hours before.
From q bystander learned that the young
woman, supposed to be Miss Ra.eles, had
been carried to q farmhouse about q quarter
of a mile AVA. On learning this We started
across the stubble. stiff and crispy from tho
night frost. Although counted sharp
walker, it was all could do to keep up with
Raggles as he STROBE over the ground.
For a moment, when we reached the farm
house, with its dormer windows, he halted.
and his face lifted as if in prayer. The yard
was filed with teams and people drawn
thther by curiosity, few of whom paid any
attention to us. After this moment of hesi-
tation Raggles opened the door and we en-
tered the living room of the house. then filled
with motley crowd OF slightly wounded, at
PENDANTS, the family and railroad officials.
"You ask" whispered Raggles, shrinking
back, as a man with shining knife and a
little saw whose teeth had to my eye a can
nibalstic look, approached.
as there a lady here named Raggles 7" in
CURED, and as l did so could feel Raegles
lean heavier on my arm.
ayes, one Of the first ones removed from
the cars. Badly hurt, probably fatally.
Crushed about the body, spine injured
"Can we see herr!
"Relatives"
"This gentleman is her father"
Certainly" The sharp, professional looL
dropped like a mask, and. taking Raggles
gently by the hand, the physician led him
through a low passageway into another room.
heard sob, the word father and then
in a tone almost groan my daughter" and
the door closed.
What passed at that interview / never
knew. Raggles came out presently, and,
crossing over to me, seized my hand and
wrung it, whispering: GAN is well. My
darling is as pure as when she left her home.
Even death has no terrors now. Praise God
for his mercy. I can say that whether she
lives or dies"
But she did not die.
1t was weeks before the poor girl could be
moved; weeks even before the physicians
could give the faintest hope At last one day,
when the strain had grown almost too great
to bear, came the announcement that she
would live, but be cripple for life She
would never again have the use of her lower
limbs. This decree was received by Raggles
with smile Of utter content She would
live, that was enough, and he would have his
little girl once more